How to Enable Automatic Logon in Windows XP

Logon passwords are often a necessity because of all the personal information people keep on their computers. Windows XP gives you the option to log on to your computer without a password. This is convenient as long as you don't mind that any sensitive information on your hard drive or in your network will be available to people who have access to the computer.

1. Step 1
   Start the PC and let Windows XP load normally. Click "Start," then "Run," and type in "Regedit" into the window that pops up. A window with the registry will appear. Search for the registry key "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\ WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon."
   
2. Step 2
   Double-click on "Default User Name," then type in your user name when prompted. Click "OK." Next, double-click the "Default Password," enter your password and again select "OK." When typing anything into the registry, be sure you're accurate.
   
3. Step 3
   Add a value to the Default Password, if there isn't one already, by going back to the "Registry Editor." Select "Edit," "New," and "String Value." Type in "Default Password," no spaces, then press "Enter." Double-click this new key you created, and type your password into the "Value Data" area.
   
4. Step 4
   Find and double-click "Auto Admin Logon." In the "Value Data" box, type "1" and click "OK." The "1" in this position will make automatic logon the default every time XP starts.
   
5. Step 5
   Create the "Admin Auto Logon," if there isn't one, by going back to the "Registry Editor." Click "Edit," "New" and "String Value" in that order. Enter the words "Auto Admin Logon" as the new string value for the name, then press "Enter." Double-click the new key and type "1" in the "Value Data" to turn this key on.
   
6. Step 6
   Quit the Registry Editor, choose "Restart" and "OK." After you restart Windows XP, the computer will now log in automatically as this user.